Banished Pt. 13

"Are you sure? I kind of like kissing you," I said, and she squirmed again, wiggling away from me, and I moved off of her as she turned to on her side, her back to me.

"Can you just lie here with me? Until I fall asleep?"

"Uh, sure," I said, taken aback slightly.

I draped an arm around her as she got comfortable, snuggling up to me as she did.

"You know," I began, "if this was the only thing you ever wanted from me, that'd be okay, right?"

She nodded.

"I know. I want more, Nate; just... not yet."

"I have no idea how you can be so passionate about blowjobs, but be so afraid of kisses..."

She shuddered a little in my arms.

"I want you to tell you, but I need to know first."

"Know what?"

"That you'll tolerate me..." she said, her words trailing off, and her tone, despondent.

"How about we alter our deal a little bit, then," I offered, and she turned to study me. "From now on, you can tell me how you want to be kissed, and exactly where you want to be kissed; and I'll do only that, and no more."

"And you won't break the rules?" she asked, wiggling a little as she shifted onto her back, while staying close to my side.

"Never," I promised.

"But, what if I wanna kiss you?" she asked, and I gave it some thought.

"Well, how about this; whatever's bothering you seems to be a pretty big deal, so when you feel up to talking about it, I'll reward you for it."

She perked up at this.

"How, exactly?"

I pinched her nose, and wiggled it a little.

"One night of unrestricted kisses. Wherever you want to kiss me, and however you want to kiss me."

She pouted a little.

"I still haven't even gotten my naked cuddling," she complained, and I nodded.

"Fine," I conceded. "Then, the deal starts when I fulfill that promise. Will that work?"

She studied me a little, then shook her head.

Instead she pointed to her neck, and I smiled.

"How do you want it?"

"Gentle," she said, and I leaned in and kissed the spot gently.

She put a finger in her mouth, and bit down, making a cute expression.

She pointed to a spot a little lower, closer to her chest.

Softly, her voice said into my mind, and I nodded.

I planted the kiss, and she moaned a little into her hand.

Again, she said, and I obliged.

Again.

Again.

Again.

Kisses followed each telepathic request, and the finger shifted further south with each kiss until she placed the finger just over the visible swell of breast, partially bared by the finger which pulled the cotton shirt slightly aside.

Harder, she said, and as I applied a little more pressure to the kiss, she cooed.

Again.

Again!

Her legs clamped together, and as she moaned, she shot me an almost anguished look.

"That's enough," she said. "You can leave now."

"Wha-?"

The request threw me off, but as I saw the pleading expression on her face, I nodded.

"Sleep well," I called, as I got up and headed for the door, but as I stepped outside and pulled the door shut, leaning back against it, I summoned up Bianca's image in my mind.

She was squirming on the bed, one hand stuffed inside of her pants, and the other fondling a breast as she moaned.

Then the thoughts started coming into my mind as she pleasured herself.

Nate! Kiss me, kiss me everywhere! Touch me. Caress me! Make love to me! Ahh!

Her desires came flooding into my mind as she worked herself to an orgasm, and I felt an intense heat radiating from her image as she came.

I continued to watch as it simmered and cooled, and she went still.

Then I heard a sob, and I saw the unmistakable movements of her shadowy form, wiping at her eyes, as she curled up into a ball.

For a moment, I wondered if going back in to comfort her might have been the right move, but she never called for me, and in the end, I figured it would be best to leave her be.

After all, if she wanted my comfort, I knew that her impulsive state would have sent for me with or without her intending it.

I took a deep breath, then tried to figure out what had just happened.

This was a situation for which I had no reference, and keeping Bianca happy was becoming a priority.

Maybe I could talk to Cameron?

I sighed.

Cameron was supposed to be my unspoiled solace from everything else, but after that last conversation between her and Casey, I was starting to think that maybe that was a waste of her potential...

The issue remained on my mind as I made my way from the grove-tree, when Casey's voice reached out to me:

Nate? I can't find you, she said. Meet me by the supply carts if you can...

I was on my way there anyway, but I took my time, as I needed to figure out a plan for the day.

Casey was worried about Leanna, and while I was too, my intention had been to actually spend some significant time with the girl, and get a better feel for what was going on with her.

I mean, she was definitely unstable, and I really didn't want a weapon near her... but unstable didn't always equal dangerous.

What was Casey's plan anyway?

To lock her up?

With girls like Leanna, sometimes all it took was someone to properly ground them to reality, but locking her away would destroy any chance of forming a meaningful connection with her, even in the future.

What would Casey do?

Talking to Cameron was one thing, but would she talk to the others?

She'd done that kind of thing before, hadn't she? Before we started our agreement.

And it's not like anyone would really object to imprisoning Leanna anyway...

I shook my head.

I couldn't let that happen.

I'd need to pre-empt whatever Casey had planned, while also managing everything else.

Ugh.

This was so inconvenient.

Why couldn't you just do what I wanted you to? I thought.

"Hey," she said.

"Hey. You left early this morning," I replied, and she frowned.

"Yeah... how did I get there, by the way?"

"Well, you seem to think sleeping in my bed's a good idea, even though; you know, stabbing? So, I brought you over to Cameron's room. Why were you even there?"

"I wanted to talk to you about something, but you took so long getting there... I fell asleep."

She shrugged, but I could hear something off in her tone.

What the fuck is going on with you, Casey?

"Well, I'm here now," I said.

"Yeah, that can wait though. We had a visitor from Palancar just now."

I raised an eyebrow at her.

"Just now? Why didn't you call me?"

"No time to look, and Gisela would have handled it without me."

"Hmm. What'd they have to say?"

"A lot. The matron, I think they said-?"

I nodded.

"She's dead. A bit confusing to me, because it sounds like she was murdered, but they didn't use that word, or say who."

"Huh... Lucilla had that enhanced hearing skill too. I guess I'll check with Gisela. Was there anything else?"

"Gisela, why?"

"She's my other advisor," I answered, a little matter-of-factly, and Casey shook her head.

"I thought I was gonna handle Palancar from now on," she said.

"You will. But small steps. Is there anything else before I go find her?"

"Uh, yeah. Vanessa bailed on them."

"Guess that whole thing really fell apart, huh?"

"Yeah... they think you're the reincarnation of their 'immortal savior' or something."

I snickered a little.

"Well, let's treat them a little better than Hernan Cortez did the Aztecs, then."

She shot me a wry look.

"I'm not sure if you're doing much better. I mean, you're already spreading half-god children amongst their kind. That's bound to create some racial tensions..."

I shook my head.

"As long as the two empires remain separate, and we settle land that no-one has claim to, then I don't see it becoming that kind of problem."

Casey furrowed her brow at me, as I headed off to find Gisela.

She was chatting with Ryker, and to my surprise, Evie, when I found her.

"Uh, hey. Did you wake all night?" I asked, but the tired look on Evie's face seemed to answer it all.

"The wounded Kobalt warrior, uh-"

"Zizek," Ryker said, and she nodded.

"-his condition was critical. He, uh, passed away just a while ago."

I clicked my tongue in annoyance, and Gisela shot me a worried look.

"Were any Kobalt of this grove wounded in the attack?" I asked.

"Herr Kahnwald, and two of his retinue," Gisela answered.

"Will they permit our dead to be interred here?"

She nodded.

"But Astrid will not permit Herr Kahnwald's interment," she said.

"Why not?"

"She wishes him scattered to the winds, a penance for his actions against all of Eltari."

"Will the Kobalt of Grenze find this troublesome?"

She shook her head.

"The death of our Matron eclipses all passing," she said.

I studied Gisela, who didn't seem much perturbed by Lucilla's death, much unlike the way most other Kobalt had reacted to it.

"Can we talk alone?" I asked, and she nodded.

As she turned to lead me towards the nearby grove tree, however, I turned to Evie.

"Hey, you should get some sleep," I said. "We might need your skills for worse things yet."

She nodded, a worried look on her face, and she turned to speak with Ryker as I followed Gisela to the nearby hall.

We entered the meeting chamber off of the main hall, and as soon as the door closed shut, she was in my arms.

She shuddered a little, and I held her, smiling a little as I recalled our encounter the previous night.

"How did Lucilla die?" I asked finally, and she took a deep breath in, and grimaced slightly.

"She reaped the seeds of her planting. Danebe was her sapling, and she gave him the freedom to spread his branches much too freely."

"Did he kill her?"

She shook her head.

"She tried to stop the avatar from leaving Palancar's sacred vault... the one who controlled it slew her, though perhaps not intended."

"Vanessa?"

She nodded.

"Casey said that she fled Palancar," I said, and Gisela nodded again.

"With armor that rightfully belongs to you."

"To me?"

She nodded again.

"You are as the one we revere, born anew. We will petition Palancar, as soon as our grove bears recognition. Then the items will be yours, as they should."

That was quite the cache.

I stroked my chin at the prospect, and wondered if Casey knew about this as well.

"My advisor... was she notified of these developments?"

Gisela nodded, a slightly worried look on her face.

"She was present at the retelling. Was her presence not with your blessing?"

"It was," I said, and Gisela relaxed.

My eyes however flicked momentarily in the direction of Gisela's stomach, and as I instinctively peered into her energy network, I saw the smallest hint of a bump on the thread therein.

When I returned my attention to her, however, I caught her gaze, and I smiled, then kissed her again.

"Gisela... about the rest of the companions."

Her face went a little pale.

"Yes, Nathan. They will come to you in time."

"No, I meant- do they have to come to me, specifically?"

She eyed me.

"Wouldn't they be able to secure mates, now? From this grove, or from Palancar?"

She frowned.

"The companions do not usually take mates before their princess is ascended," she said. "It is not the custom."

"Ascended... to matron?"

She nodded.

"What if I want the princess to be something else. Like Queen?"

Gisela's eyes went wide.

"She would not accept it. The princess desires to be the matron who finds the perfect queen for your immortalization. Such a being must be one to accompany you for many lifetimes."

I shook my head.

"I want her," I said. "I won't accept anyone else."

Gisela's hand went to her mouth.

"How do I make her my queen?" I asked.

"A-A ceremony. A call for her subjects, at which you announce the name you bestowed upon her."

I nodded.

"Her subjects, meaning... those who came along with us?"

Gisela shook her head.

"When a queen is to be announced, all who desire a place in her queendom are free to come forth, and become as one people."

I rubbed my chin.

"We could gather a lot of settlers that way, huh... how soon can this ceremony be arranged? To allow those who would be willing to join us from the nearby clusters, and Palancar to attend?"

"A seed is planted; one blessed by the essence of the king. It is but a common weed which grows without bearing fruit; but when touched by a God, it springs flowers of unparalleled radiance. The process requires ten day-cycles; no less."

I nodded.

"Will I need to acquire the seed myself?"

She shook her head.

"The runners will be sent to gather; you need only apply the planting. But are you certain, Nathan? The princess has deemed herself insufficient..."

I nodded.

"I'm sure. Will companions still be required for her child?"

Gisela nodded.

"Yes, but many will flock... to seed the current companions will be necessary no more."

There was a sad look in her eye, as she placed a hand over her own stomach and turned away, so I rested my hand on her shoulder, and gave her a reassuring squeeze.

"There is no regret," I said, and she turned, studying me worriedly. "I desire that this child comes forth."

She smiled, and I kissed her, holding her for a bit, before heading outside.

But we were barely out the door when I ran into Casey, who was shooting me a somewhat uncomfortable look.

"Uh, Nate. We might have a problem," she said.

"What is it?"

"Leanna... she's hanging around the supply carts. Where the weapons are?"

I gestured to Casey, who led me over there, and I frowned.

"Doesn't seem to be looking over there or anything. Are you sure she's not just staying around the central area of the camp?" I asked, looking around, and Casey shook her head.

"Why are you so intent on letting this girl roam free? You know she's dangerous."

"Do I? I hadn't really made up my mind about that just yet."

Casey glared at me.

"You won't let her touch weapons, but she's not dangerous?"

I shrugged.

"The weapons are dangerous. I mean, I won't let Lucia carry one either, but it's not like I'd lock her up. She's just not ready."

Casey scoffed.

"And you think Leanna will be ready for a weapon one day?"

I shrugged.

"Who knows? You never thought Bianca should have held one either."

"I still don't think Bianca should be left with one..."

I sighed.

"Look, we have hunters keeping watch, right? They know better than to let just any otherworlder take a weapon now, too."

As I took a look at Leanna however, something occurred to me.

"Actually, I think I might have an idea."

Casey studied me carefully.

"What?" she asked.

"Maybe I should take Leanna on a little excursion," I suggested. "She'll only talk openly if she thinks the Kobalt can't hear her, and I'll get a chance to better gauge how much of a threat she really is. Besides, we need to get some scouting done on Irileth's domain."

Casey shook her head.

"I don't like it," she said, and I tilted my head at her.

"Why not?"

"What if you run into a problem?"

"Then I ditch her and run. Two problems solved, right?"

Casey scoffed, but she didn't seem to find anything to counter that point, so she went for a different approach.

"What if Palancar does something else while you're gone?"

"Well, let's find out about that, then," I said, hailing Gisela as I did.

"Gisela. Those in Palancar who opposed the princess... is it possible that they may still act against us? Without Palancar's blessing?"

She shook her head.

"The passing of the Matron initiates a mourning cycle. No Kobalt will commit an act of violence in this period."

"How long does the mourning cycle last?" I asked.

"Until the seedling planted upon her resting place bears fruit. This requires no less than five day-cycles."

I turned to Casey who frowned.

"What if Vanessa comes here?"

"Just her? Even in a suit, either Francesca or Raul could eat her for breakfast."

Casey massaged her temples agitatedly.

"What about training? Am I supposed to handle that and Palancar while you're gone?"

Gisela raised an eyebrow, but she didn't say anything.

"Francesca should be able to handle it. Her arm seems healed enough to train, and she knows who needs to work on what. Just co-ordinate with her so she knows who needs to be awake for watch later tonight. Also, take Bianca off of watch duty."

"Why?"

"She doesn't pair well, and you know what her attention span is like."

"Then why even train her?" Casey asked, and I raised an eyebrow at her.

"Didn't you see her fight yesterday?" I asked. "We would have been in real trouble without her. It shouldn't be a big deal, anyway, right? You never wanted her on watch to begin with."

"Yeah, but Jeannie's injured. We're a little short staffed at the moment."

"Then put Nolan back into the rotation. If we're not making this cross-forest trek anymore, then he doesn't need to spend as much time gathering info as before. Besides, he doesn't have Myrinne to help with translations right now, anyway."

Casey sighed, then nodded.

The sun was starting to come up, and I cracked my knuckles, then smiled.

"Guess I better get ready to head out, then."

"How far into the domain are you going?"

"The guildhall... if I can find it."

"Are you sure you can make the trip in a day?"

It would be difficult, assuming a lack of endurance on Leanna's part.

"Not sure about anything, really. I don't think I should spend more than a day out, though. Not while I'm with Leanna, at least."

"Jeez, at least I can get you to do that much," she said, and I chuckled a little.

"You really don't like my methods, do you?"

"I just want you to be safe, Nate," she said, moving closer to me, and moving for my hand.

I rested it against her cheek, then nodded.

"I would be much safer if my advisor spent more time helping me do what needs to be done, rather than questioning every single decision I make," I said, and Casey's mouth opened a little, and she withdrew her hand, turning away.

"I'm trying," she said, and I turned to Astrid's tree.

"Tell you what. This family... or branch, or whatever. They seem to know a bit about the powers that the princess has. Maybe you could talk to Astrid? See if there's a way for us to break your hypnosis?"

Casey turned to me, an uncomfortable look on her face.

"What? Are you tired of my affections already?" she teased, and I shook my head.

"I'm tired of seeing you look so conflicted," I answered, and she frowned, her right hand moving to meet the other at the elbow, and she hugged herself a little.

I moved to walk past her, then stopped, resting a hand against her cheek as I did.

"I'm still gonna look for that smile... I promise," I said, and I kissed her on the cheek, before heading over to Leanna.

"Hey," I said, and she took a quick look around, before awkwardly returning my greeting. "I organized for us to go on a mission together."

"Just us?"

I nodded, and she perked up noticeably at this.

"Far away," I added suggestively, and she smiled.

"What do I need to prepare?"

"A suit of armor," I said.

I fetched the low-grade T-one set that we kept as a backup, basically, and took the dagger that I usually kept strapped to my boot.

The Kobalt had now also prepared some stashes of travel packs that the hunters could take at a moment's notice before heading out for longer periods, so I grabbed two of those, then waved at Casey as we headed off.

"How did you get her to approve that?" she asked.

"You don't wanna know," I replied, letting out a pained sigh.

She shot me a worried look, and as soon as we were out of the campground, and some way down to road that wound to the south of Grenze, she linked my arm in hers.